Abstract:

Background: The neonatal period (first 28 days of life) is a very crucial period as it constitutes of most determinates of the child’s survival and general future health status of the child. Early detection of neonatal danger signs is important in improving newborn survival hence making it a crucial thing that should be identified by mothers or care takers.

Aim: This study aimed at assessing the knowledge on neonatal danger signs among post-partum mothers and the first approach they seek after identifying the danger signs.

Methodology: A cross sectional study was done to assess the knowledge of neonatal danger signs, health care seeking practice/ first approach taken by mothers at Makongoro Health Center at Ilemela district Mwanza Tanzania. It involved postpartum mothers attending the postpartum clinic care at Makongoro Health Center and the sample size was 202 post-partum mothers using Kochran's formula. Data was collected using questionnaires that had 3 sections; A-demographic data that have a contribution to mother's knowledge on NDs such as marital status and education level, B- assessed if mothers knew any WHO NDs and C-the first approach after identifying the NDs such as seeking health care or use traditional treatment.

Results: Of 202 mothers, 181 (89.6%) were not awere of the neonatal danger signs.. Large proportion, 99(49.0%) of participants were aged between 25-35 years. The awaress had an association with source of knowledge, ANC visits < 4 visits 118 (58.4%), and distance to health center >1 hour 111 (55.0%). With poor approach to neonatal danger signs a 54.4 % used traditional methods of treatment and 31.1% got drugs without prescription from the pharmacy.

Conclusion: This shows low knowledge on NDS and poor health seeking behaviors. Thus this knowledge needs to be increased as it is associated with health seeking behavior for a better general neonatal wellbeing.